Efficient lock and key system

ABSTRACT

A method and system is disclosed for allowing users to consolidate a large number electronic keys (for operating mechanical locks) in electronic key assemblies. These electronic keys are easily duplicated, added to, removed, backed up, or upgraded. The electronic key assemblies are also more resistant to tampering. The lock assembly and electronic key designs taught by the invention are customizable to meet various security needs. The lock assembly includes a transmitter and a receiver operatively coupled to an electronic circuit in communication with a store for keys. The electronic circuit is also coupled to the mechanical levers for operating the lock assembly. The electronic key assembly also has its transmitter, receiver, a control circuit and a user interface for selecting a particular electronic key password.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention is in the field of security and access control. Inparticular, the invention has applicability to providing keys that aretampering resistant but are easy to securely duplicate and carry.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Mechanical locks based on mechanical types of cylinders have beenfrequently modified by the addition of electronic security features.Locking elements controlled by electronic-means have been disclosed incombination with non-mechanical types of tumblers, such as in Clarksonet al. U.S. Pat. No. 4,712,398 with an eye to reduce the need toretrofit the traditional locks.

The use of electronic techniques for coding locks offers the possibilityof a number of significant advantages as compared with the traditionalmechanical bitting. Electronic coding can increase information contentwith attendant improvements to system capabilities such as moreeffective new countermeasures against “lock-picking” attempts.

A distinction may be made among purely electronic, magnetic or opticalkeys; mechanical keys equipped with electronic, magnetic or opticalfeatures; and mechanical keys which operate solely by mechanicalbittings, whether those bittings be pin tumbler, dimples or othermechanical patterns.

A key comprised of electronic circuitry, magnetic or optical datastorage for determining and granting access is an electronic keyassembly. Some examples are described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,733,862(Killmeyer), U.S. Pat. No. 4,144,523 (Kaplit), U.S. Pat. No. 4,326,124(Faude), U.S. Pat. No. 4,562,712 (Wolter), U.S. Pat. No. 4,663,952(Gelhard), U.S. Pat. No. 4,686,358 (Seckinger et al.), U.S. Pat. No.5,245,329 (Gokcebay) and U.S. Pat. No. 5,140,317 (Hyatt, Jr. et al.).For unlocking a lock, using such a key, data is transferred to a readerassociated with a lock, and the reader, in response to recognizing thepattern or code held by the key, activates unlocking. The key, see e.g.,U.S. Pat. No. 3,797,936 (Dimitriadis), U.S. Pat. No. 4,209,782 (Donathet al.), U.S. Pat. No. 4,257,030 (Bruhin et al.), U.S. Pat. No.4,620,088 (Flies), U.S. Pat. No. 4,659,915 (Flies) and U.S. Pat. No.4,789,859 (Clarkson et al.), does require any mechanical cut or bittingconfigurations.

Mechanical keys, see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 480,299 (Voight), U.S. Pat.No. 550,111 (Sargent), U.S. Pat. No. 564,029 (Sargent), U.S. Pat. No.3,208,248 (Tornoe), U.S. Pat. No. 4,723,427 (Oliver), U.S. Pat. No.4,732,022 (Oliver) and U.S. Pat. No. 4,823,575 (Florian et al.),directly activate a mechanical device, with a pattern of mechanicalbittings, by direct contact with the interpreting device, for instance,the tumblers, such as pin tumblers, lever tumblers, disk tumblers,rotary disk tumblers, slider tumblers, or combinations of several ofthese incorporated within the same lock, or other pattern-holdingapparatus contained in the lock. Typically, access is granted based onthe depth and configuration of the key cuts relative to the tumblers,and the keyholder is able to turn the key to lock and unlock the lockingdevice. As a variation, a push or pull action may also be necessary forlocking and unlocking. In some instances both mechanical andnon-mechanical features of a key are used simultaneously.

Electronic locks and keys are often found in remotely operated devicessuch as car locks, garage openers and the like. However, each of theseremotely operated locks require their own physical key, which typicallymay be bulkier than the mechanical keys. It is not uncommon to haveseveral such keys, also termed remotes, in combination with mechanicalkeys. Misplacing or losing such a key is easy while duplicating themcontinues to be both difficult and expensive.

An example of an electronic lock and key system is the E-Lock™ productmarketed by Lista® corporation of Switzerland. While the E-Lock systemallows a single key to operate several electronic locks, the keys aredesigned to be copy proof. Loss or pilfering of a key is handled byreprogramming the system and using a new key corresponding to thereprogrammed setup. In addition, the electronic locks may be configuredto relock themselves after a certain amount to further improve security.

Other examples of electronic lock and key systems include the DATAKEYCIP™ smart card. The smart card has the capability of generating keys orof receiving keys generated elsewhere. TRACcess® provides another systemof electronic locks, which are operated with an authorized TRACkey™ andis configured to track all activity without relying upon external poweror phone lines. The TRACcess® is a large entity solution to provideintegrated security that is not suitable for day to day use byindividual consumers.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention described below, inter alia, provides a system that allowsusers to carry a large number of passwords, operating as keys, withoutthe cumbersome clanging keychain weighed down by keys that are easierfor a forger rather than the intended possessor to duplicate. Thepasswords in the electronic key assemblies of the invention are easilyduplicated, added to, or removed. In addition, backup versions of thepasswords may be stored to guard against accidentally losing the key.

In another aspect, the electronic key assemblies are upgradeable, and donot suffer from the vulnerability of mechanical keys due to the ease ofdeciphering a master key that operates several mechanical locks by trialand error in relatively few steps.

In another aspect, the lock assembly and password combinations taught bythe invention may be reprogrammable or, alternatively, programmed onlyat the manufacturing stage. These combinations avoid the need to recalla large number of key codes or the security risk associated withmechanical keys. Specifying the password at the manufacturing stageallows customization to meet various security needs as is describedbriefly next.

Conventional mechanical locks are opened by one or more keys that aredetermined in the course of manufacturing the lock. In such mechanicallocks, sometimes manufactured so as to admit of a ‘master key,’ the useof cyptographic techniques is known to lead to a key capable ofduplicating the function of even the master key, thus posing a securityrisk since all keys to locks admitting of the master key necessarilyshare many characteristics. This draw back is not universal sincemechanical locks, such as ‘number locks’ requiring a particular numbercombination, allow for choosing alternative combinations. Such numberlocks however require memorization of many combinations.

In an illustrative embodiment of the invention, the lock assemblyincludes a transmitter and a receiver that are operatively coupled to anelectronic circuit, which is preferably programmable, in communicationwith a memory or other store for identifiers and keys. The electroniccircuit is also coupled to the mechanical levers that need to be movedto lock or unlock the lock assembly.

The electronic lock assembly is preferably a part of an electronic locksystem comprising a lock assembly and an electronic key assembly. Theelectronic key assembly also has its transmitter and receiver so that itmay communicate with the electronic lock assembly and other electronickey assemblies. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a userinterface is presented to the key user so that the user may select apassword for a particular electronic lock assembly or duplication toanother key. The key electronic control circuit coordinates theactivities of the various key sub-parts. One or more passwords arestored on a typical electronic key assembly, which may operate one ormore lock assemblies. Additionally, a stored password on the electronickey assembly may be used to set the password for a lock assembly using apassword-setting button on the lock assembly to be set. Preferably sucha button may be activated only during the manufacturing of the lockassembly or a limited number of times after the manufacturing.

Preferably the user interface has a display or a scroll button.Alternatively, one or more of a clickable button, an infrared port, or apressure sensitive surface may be used to either input or view desiredinformation on the user interface. Thus, a password is copied from oneelectronic key assembly to another electronic key assembly by activatinga password duplication feature, establishing a link between theelectronic key assemblies; receiving a specified password to beduplicated followed by storing the duplicate password. The passwordduplication feature is preferably accessed via the user interface,although automated duplication procedures may also be implemented inalternative embodiments. In such procedures, over a secure link, aparticular transmission pattern may result in duplication of a passwordor in view of previously transacted information, receiving a transmittedpassword may automatically result in its duplication. Or, instead ofcopying a password, a property of the password is communicated andreplicated in a generated password.

Additionally, a password-setting button in the lock assembly allowssetting of the password during manufacturing. Preferably in response topressing of the password-setting button a random sequence is stored as apassword for unlocking the lock assembly. This random sequence is alsotransmitted to the electronic key assembly for storage as the passwordfor unlocking the lock assembly. A password setting function isactivated in the key to enable receiving the random sequence as thepassword for the lock assembly. In an aspect designed to improvesecurity the password-setting button is inactivated after setting thepassword of the lock assembly during manufacturing.

It should be noted that the lock assembly may correspond to more thanone password for unlocking the lock assembly. Indeed, a particularpassword may unlock more than one lock assembly. However, in contrast tothe typical lock and key systems with master keys, the various passwordsneed not be related since they can be chosen independently. Thus,several passwords for unlocking a lock assembly may be stored on asingle key, or the key may store passwords for unlocking more than onelock assembly.

Although there is no limit on the number of passwords that may be storedon a key except that imposed by the available memory, it is preferredthat several passwords be stored on a single key. For instance, anelectronic key assembly may store at least five passwords, at least tenpasswords, at least twenty passwords, at least fifty passwords, and atleast one hundred passwords. With a large number of passwords, theirrelative organization is preferably implemented with the passwordsorganized with the help of navigable folders. Preferably, the passwordcorresponding to the lock assembly is transmitted from a key in responseto a selection made via the user interface.

In response to receiving a password the control circuit in a lockassembly determines if there is a match. The match may be a common hashvalue , which in combination with a public-private key setup providessecure communications. Alternatively, directed communication betweenkeys and a key and a lock assembly may reduce the likelihood ofeavesdropping. To this end there is considerable flexibility sinceeither or both of the lock assembly transmitter and the key transmittermay be coupled to one or more of an antenna and a light emitting diodeand the like with corresponding receivers.

In another aspect, the lock assembly electronic control circuit isconfigured, at a time point following unlocking, to instruct the lockassembly mechanical parts to relock in a default mode.

The invention also encompasses designing an electronic lock assemblysystem. Typically, a method for designing such an electronic lock systeminclude providing a lock assembly transmitter and a lock assemblyreceiver; storage for one or more passwords; and a control circuitcoupled to mechanical parts for locking and unlocking the electroniclock assembly. The control circuit unlocks the electronic lock assemblyin response to receiving a password matching the stored password.

The electronic key assembly has a key transmitter and a key receiver aswell as password storage locations. A control circuit determines whetherto transmit a password, its required encryption, implementation ofvarious functions, and the like. The control circuit also interacts witha user via a user interface, for instance to provide functionality suchas that for password duplication function for transmitting a passwordfrom one electronic key assembly to another electronic key assemblyfollowed by storing of the transmitted password.

In another aspect, the electronic lock preferably has a password-settingbutton. In response to activating the button, a password is stored bythe electronic lock assembly such that receiving the password operatesthe lock assembly. Preferably, the button is operated during themanufacturing of the lock assembly and the stored password istransmitted to an electronic key assembly for operating the lockassembly. In another aspect, the electronic key assembly has apassword-setting function so that the password received from theelectronic lock assembly is stored on the electronic key assembly.

In another aspect, preferably the transmissions between electronic keyassemblies or with the electronic lock assembly are encrypted. Anexemplary method uses a private-public key system to encrypt messages,including passwords sent to each device. By the optional use of digitalsignatures in some embodiments of the invention, secure communicationchannels may be established for transmission of the password and relatedinformation using hashing. It should be noted that such use ofpublic-private keys is not required for practicing the invention, andany encryption scheme may be deployed to meet the particular securityneeds. In some embodiments, no encryption may be employed. In addition,directed communication using narrow beams, key cards, and the like maybe employed with or without encryption technology.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an electronic lock assemblyaccording to the invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an electronic key assembly according to theinvention.

FIG. 3 illustrates a method for duplicating a password using theelectronic key assemblies according to the invention

FIG. 4 illustrates interactions between two electronic key assembliesduring password duplication.

FIG. 5 illustrates interactions between a lock assembly and a keyassembly while setting a password.

FIG. 6 illustrates interactions between a lock assembly and a keyassembly for mechanically operating the lock assembly.

FIG. 7 illustrates a method for operation of a lock assembly in responseto a key assembly.

FIG. 8 illustrates a method for operation of a lock assembly to revertto a default state, for instance staying locked, in the absence ofalternative instructions.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention encompasses embodiments that allow users to carry a largenumber of keys, actually passwords to electronic locks, without thecumbersome clanging keychain weighed down by mechanical keys. Moreover,the passwords are easily and securely duplicated, added to, or removedusing friendly user interfaces. In addition, backup versions of thepasswords can be stored to guard against accidentally losing a password.

In another aspect, the electronic key assembly is upgradeable, and donot suffer from the vulnerability of mechanical keys due to easydeciphering of a master key that operates several locks by trial anderror in relatively few steps.

In another aspect, the lock assembly and key combinations taught by theinvention may be reprogrammable or, alternatively, programmed only atthe manufacturing stage. These combinations avoid the need to recall alarge number of key codes or the risk of reverse engineering ofmechanical keys including master keys. Optional, fixing of the key atthe manufacturing stage allows customization for particularapplications. Conventional mechanical locks are opened by one or morekeys that are determined in the course of manufacturing the lock. Insuch mechanical locks, sometimes manufactured so as to admit of a‘master key,’ the use of cryptographic techniques is known to lead to akey capable of duplicating the function of even the master key, thusposing a security risk since all keys to locks admitting of the masterkey necessarily share many characteristics. This draw back is notuniversal since mechanical locks, such as ‘number locks’ requiring aparticular number combination, allow for choosing alternativecombinations, but with the drawback of remembering particularcombinations. Electronic locks, however, often are reprogrammable,although this could be a security risk if the lock could be compromisedby merely reprogramming it.

In an illustrative embodiment of the invention in FIG. 1, the lockassembly 100 includes transmitter 105 and receiver 110 that areoperatively coupled to electronic circuit 115, which is preferablyprogrammable, in communication with a memory 120 or other store foridentifiers and keys. The electronic circuit is also coupled tomechanical levers 125 that are operated to lock or unlock the lockassembly 100.

Electronic lock assembly 100 is preferably a part of an electronic locksystem comprising lock assembly 100 and electronic key assembly 200,illustrated in FIG. 2. Electronic key assembly 200 also has itstransmitter 205 and receiver 210 so that it may communicate withelectronic lock assembly 100 and other electronic key assemblies. In apreferred embodiment of the invention, user interface 220 is presentedto the key user so that the user may select a password for a particularelectronic lock or duplication to another key. Key electronic controlcircuit 215 coordinates the activities of the various key sub-parts. Onelectronic key assembly 200 one or more passwords are stored in a memory225, which may operate one or more locks. Additionally, a storedpassword on electronic key assembly 200 may be used to set the passwordfor a lock using optional password-setting button 230. Similarly,optional password-setting button 130 on the lock assembly allows settingof the password for a particular lock assembly. Preferablypassword-setting button 230 may be activated only during themanufacturing of the lock assembly or a limited number of times afterthe manufacturing.

Preferably user interface 220 has display 221 and is operated with theaid of one or more buttons, such as a physical scroll button 222 or aclickable displayed simulated button 223, which may be operated with apointing device 224 or other means. In addition, one or more of aclickable button, an infrared port, or a pressure sensitive surface maybe used to either input or view desired information on user interface220.

A password is copied from one electronic key assembly to anotherelectronic key assembly, as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, by activatingpassword duplication feature 400 on user interface 405 during step 300,establishing link 410 between electronic key assemblies 415 and 420during step 305; receiving, via receiver 435 from transmitter 440, aspecified password to be duplicated at electronic key assembly 420during step 310; followed by storing the duplicate password onelectronic key assembly 420 during step 315. The password duplicationfeature is preferably accessed via user interfaces 405 and 430, althoughautomated duplication procedures may also be implemented in alternativeembodiments. In such procedures the user need not expressly select thekey duplication feature for a specific key and instead all of thepasswords in a particular group of passwords on an electronic keyassembly may be copied to another electronic key assembly. Or, insteadof copying a password itself, a property of the password is communicatedand replicated in a generated password. Examples include algorithms forgenerating passwords using one or more seeds or parameters, which may bereplicated by copying the parameters rather than a particular password.

Additionally, as mentioned previously, password-setting button 130 inlock assembly 100 allows setting of the password during manufacturing.Preferably in response to pressing of password-setting button 130 arandom sequence is stored as a password for unlocking lock assembly 100.This random sequence is also transmitted to an electronic key assemblyfor storage. Password setting function 230 is activated in key 200 toenable receiving and storing the random sequence as the password forlock assembly 100. In an aspect designed to improve securitypassword-setting button 130 is inactivated after setting the password oflock assembly 100 during manufacturing.

FIG. 5 illustrates these interactions in additional detail. Password setbutton 500 of lock assembly 505 is activated resulting in electroniccircuit 510 activating transmitter 515 to transmit a selected keysequence to receiver 520 of electronic key assembly 525. Receiver 520communicates with user interface 530, possibly via electronic circuit535, to complete the process of password acceptance and storage onelectronic key assembly 525.

It should be noted that lock assembly 100 may correspond to more thanone password for operating lock assembly 100. Indeed, a particularpassword may unlock more than one lock. However, in contrast to typicallock and key systems with master keys, the various passwords need not berelated, thus providing additional security compared to mechanical locksystems. This follows from the unrestricted choice available forselecting one or more passwords. Thus, several passwords for unlockinglock assembly 100 may be stored on a single key, or multiple keys, or aparticular key may store passwords for unlocking more than one lock.

FIG. 6 illustrates typical unlocking interactions between electronic keyassembly 600 and electronic lock assembly 605. User interface 610receives instructions to unlock lock assembly 605 resulting electroniccircuit 615 activating transmitter 620 of electronic key assembly 600 tosend unlocking information to lock assembly 605 via receiver 625, whichis interpreted and/or processed by electronic circuit 630 resulting inoperating mechanical parts 635 for unlocking or locking lock assembly605.

Although there is no limit on the number of passwords that may be storedon a key, it is preferred that several passwords be stored on a singlekey. For instance, an electronic key assembly may store at least fivepasswords, preferably at least ten passwords, more preferably at leasttwenty passwords, even more preferably at least fifty passwords, andmost preferably at least one hundred passwords. With a large number ofpasswords, their relative organization is preferably implemented withthe passwords organized with the help of navigable folders accessiblevia the user interface corresponding to a key. Preferably, the passwordcorresponding to the lock is transmitted from a key in response to aselection made via the user interface.

As illustrated in FIG. 7, during step 700 a determination is made if asignal has been received. In response to receiving a signal controlpasses to step 705 for receiving a password. The control circuit in alock assembly determines if there is a match between a password requiredby the lock assembly and the received password during step 710. Thematch may be a common hash value and a public-private key setup toprovide for secure communications. Alternatively, directed communicationbetween keys and a key and a lock assembly may reduce the likelihood ofeavesdropping. To this end there is considerable flexibility sinceeither or both of the lock assembly transmitter and the key transmitteris coupled to one or more of an antenna and a light emitting diode andthe like with corresponding receivers.

If there is a match, then, during step 715 the mechanical parts of theelectronic lock assembly are operated to unlock or lock it. On the otherhand, if there is no match then control passes to step 700.

In another aspect, the lock assembly electronic control circuit isconfigured to, at a time point following unlocking, instruct the lockassembly mechanical parts to relock in a default mode. As shown in FIG.8, during step 800 a determination is made as to whether the electroniclock assembly is open. In effect, in response to the electronic lockassembly being open, an estimate of the time period for which theelectronic lock assembly has been open is made. If a time threshold issatisfied during step 805 then control passes to step 810 for lockingthe electronic lock assembly. Otherwise, control stays at step 805.

The invention also includes illustrative examples for designing anelectronic lock assembly system. Typically, a method for designing suchan electronic lock assembly system include providing a lock assemblytransmitter and a lock assembly receiver; storage for one or morepasswords; and a control circuit coupled to mechanical parts for lockingand unlocking the electronic lock assembly. The control circuit unlocksthe electronic lock assembly in response to receiving a passwordmatching the stored password.

The electronic key assembly has a key transmitter and a key receiver aswell as password storage locations. A control circuit may determinewhether to transmit a password, its required encryption, implementationof various functions, and the like. The control circuit also interactswith a user via a user interface, for instance to provide functionalitysuch as that for password duplication function for transmitting apassword from one electronic key assembly to another electronic keyassembly followed by storing of the transmitted password.

In another aspect, the electronic lock assembly preferably has apassword-setting button. In response to activating the button, apassword is stored by the electronic lock assembly such that receivingthe password operates the lock assembly. Preferably, the button isoperated during the manufacturing of the lock assembly and the storedpassword is transmitted to an electronic key assembly for operating thelock assembly. In another aspect, the electronic key assembly has apassword-setting function so that the password received from theelectronic lock assembly is stored on the electronic key assembly.

In another aspect, preferably the transmissions between electronic keyassemblies or with the electronic lock are encrypted. An exemplarymethod may use a public key with the private key held on each device. Bythe optional use of digital signatures in some embodiments of theinvention, secure communication channels may be established fortransmission of the password and related information. It should be notedthat the use of public-private keys is not required for practicing theinvention, and any encryption scheme may be deployed to meet theparticular security needs. In some embodiments, no encryption may beemployed, or directed communication using narrow beams, key cards, andthe like, may be used for additional security.

Those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that other systemarchitectures can be used to implement the methods of the presentinvention described above. While the discussion herein focuses onelectronic key assemblies and electronic lock assemblies, those ofordinary skill in the art will recognize that the scope of thediscussion is not so limited but applies equally to designing securitysystems and user friendly security devices. Although an illustrativeembodiment of the invention has been described herein, variousmodifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope ofthe invention described by the following claims.

1. An electronic lock system comprising: at least one lock assemblyhaving a lock assembly transmitter, a lock assembly receiver, a lockassembly password setting button, and a lock assembly electronic controlcircuit operatively coupled to lock assembly mechanical parts forlocking and unlocking; and a first electronic key assembly having a keytransmitter and a key receiver; a user interface presented to the keyuser; and a key electronic control circuit for coordinating theactivities of the various key sub-parts; wherein responsive to pressingof the lock assembly password setting button, a password is stored inthe lock assembly electronic control circuit, the lock assemblytransmitter transmits the password to the first electronic key assemblyto be stored in the key electronic control circuit; and wherein one ormore passwords are stored on the electronic key assembly to operate theat least one lock assembly.
 2. The electronic lock system of claim 1,wherein the user interface has a display and one or more of a scrollbutton, clickable button, infrared port, or pressure sensitive surface.3. The electronic lock system of claim 1 wherein responsive to pressingof the password-setting button a random sequence is stored as a passwordfor unlocking the lock assembly; and the random sequence is alsoreceived by the key receiver of the first electronic key assembly to bestored in the key electronic control circuit.
 4. The electronic locksystem of claim 3, wherein a password setting function is activated inthe first key, whereby the random sequence is received as the passwordfor the lock assembly.
 5. The electronic lock system of claim 3 whereinthe lock assembly corresponds to a plurality of passwords for unlockingthe lock assembly.
 6. The electronic lock system of claim 5 wherein theplurality of passwords for unlocking the lock assembly are stored on thefirst key.
 7. The electronic lock system of claim 6 wherein the firstkey also stores at least one password for unlocking at least oneadditional lock.
 8. The electronic lock system of claim 6 wherein anumber of passwords stored on the first key belongs to the setconsisting of at least five passwords, at least ten passwords, at leasttwenty passwords, at least fifty passwords, and at least one hundredpasswords.
 9. The electronic lock system of claim 5 wherein at least onepassword for unlocking the lock assembly is stored on a second keyassembly.
 10. The electronic lock system of claim 1, wherein thepassword-setting button is inactivated after setting the password of thelock during manufacturing and remains inactive during the use of theelectronic lock system to prevent further change of the password. 11.The electronic lock system of claim 1 wherein in response to receiving apassword corresponding to the lock assembly, the lock assembly unlocks.12. The electronic lock system of claim 1 wherein the passwordcorresponding to the lock assembly is transmitted from the first key inresponse to a selection made via the user interface.
 13. The electroniclock system of claim 1 wherein the lock assembly electronic controlcircuit is configured to, at a time point following unlocking, instructthe lock assembly mechanical parts to relock in a default mode.
 14. Theelectronic lock system of claim 1 wherein at least one of the lockassembly transmitter and the key transmitter is coupled to one or moreof an antenna and a light emitting diode.
 15. An electronic lock systemcomprising: at least one lock assembly having one or more lock assemblymechanical parts and a lock assembly electronic control circuitoperatively coupled to the lock assembly mechanical parts for lockingand unlocking; and a first electronic key assembly having a keytransmitter, a user interface presented to the key user; and a keyelectronic control circuit for coordinating the activities of thevarious key sub-parts; wherein one or more passwords are stored on theelectronic key assembly to operate the at least one lock assembly; andwherein a password is copied from the first electronic key assembly to asecond electronic key assembly by activating a password duplicationfeature in at least one of the first and second electronic keyassemblies; establishing a link between the first and second electronickey assemblies; receiving a specified password at the second electronickey assembly; and finishing the duplication process by storing a newpassword in the second electronic key assembly.
 16. The electronic locksystem of claim 15, wherein the password duplication feature is accessedvia the user interface.
 17. A method for designing an electronic locksystem, the method comprising the steps of: providing a lock assemblytransmitter and a lock assembly receiver in an electronic lock assemblyhaving at least one stored password and a control circuit coupled tomechanical parts for locking and unlocking the electronic lock assembly,wherein the control circuit unlocks the electronic lock assembly inresponse to receiving a password matching the stored password; providinga key transmitter and a key receiver in a first electronic key assemblyhaving at least one password storage location and a control circuitcoupled to various key sub-parts; providing a user interface for thefirst electronic key assembly, whereby a user selects at least onepassword stored on the first electronic key assembly to unlock theelectronic lock assembly; and implementing a password duplicationfunction for transmitting a password from the first electronic keyassembly to a second electronic key assembly followed by storing of thetransmitted password on the second electronic key assembly.
 18. Themethod of claim 17 further comprising providing a password-settingbutton in the electronic lock assembly, whereby a password is stored bythe electronic lock assembly in response to operation of thepassword-setting button during the manufacturing of the lock assemblyand the stored password is transmitted to the first electronic keyassembly.
 19. The method of claim 18 further comprising providing apassword-setting function in the first electronic key assembly, wherebythe password received from the electronic lock assembly is stored on thefirst electronic key assembly.
 20. The method of claim 17, wherein atleast one transmission between the first electronic key assembly and oneor more of the electronic lock assembly and the second electronic keyassembly is encrypted using a public key.